march -april newsletter
DESCRIPTION
GGCC Spring EditionTRANSCRIPT
Friday, march 6, 2015
6-10PM
NEW Founders Plaza
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres
Live music
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Bring a friend
Credit cards accepted
INDEX
President’s Message.........................................................2
Welcome David Porter.....................................................3
Welcome New Members..................................................4
Welcome Erin Hunter.......................................................5
Event Planning..................................................................6
Taste of Greystone........................................................7-8
Dining Guide.....................................................................9
Dining & Social Events...............................................10-11
Welcome to our Newest Little Members.......................11
Membership...................................................................12
From the Links................................................................13
Blackburn Golf................................................................14
Greystone Invitational...............................................15-16
TaylorMade Performance Lab..................................17-18
Dollars for Scholars.........................................................18
Fitness.............................................................................19
Tennis..............................................................................20
Aquatics.....................................................................21-22
Spotted............................................................................23
Contact............................................................................24
Greystone Golf & Country Club | March—April 2015 1
Founders Reopening Wine Tasting Featuring Trione Wines Monday, March 2nd
6:30-8:30pm | Founders Trophy Room Further details on page 10
Cocktails in the Plaza Grand Opening Celebration of the Golf Operations Building & Plaza!
Friday, March 6th 6-10pm | NEW Founders Golf Plaza
Further details on page 10
Dear Greystone Members and Families,
Once again Greystone has endured another Alabama winter com-plete with cold frigid temperatures interspersed with a few nice days to enjoy golf, tennis and other outdoor activities. Although a time when most of us find ourselves inside, a tremendous amount
of work has been taking place to ensure springtime at Greystone will once again be an exciting time.
There are a number of exciting announcements to share starting with the hiring of a new General Manager of the Club. Mr. David Porter is our new General Manager and will begin his transition during the month of March with a full-time start date of April 7, 2015. David received his Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management from Widener University in Chester Pennsylvania at which time he began his career as the Clubhouse Manager and was later promoted to General Manager with White Manor Country Club in Malvern, PA. His next assignment was with Westmoreland Country Club in Wilmette, IL followed by General Manager and COO at Belfair Plantation in Bluffton, SC. During his career, David has been involved in several club house renovations, golf course renovations, significant expansion of programs for youth and is the only Country Club Manager (CCM) nationally to lead two different clubs to Platinum Club status. David has two children Delaney (14) and Drake (11) who will be joining him at the conclusion of the school year. The board is extremely excited to have David joining the team and we will be announcing a welcome reception in the near future.
Second on the list of exciting events is the Premier Spring Member-Guest event that will take place April 30 – May 2. This year’s event marks the return of the two course format with a record sign-up of 120 teams thus far. Members and Guests will be tested on the always tough Legacy course coupled with the first tournament on the newly renovated and Senior Tour ready Founders course.
Continuing on a golf theme, Greystone will once again host the SEC Women’s Golf Championship April 15-19 with this year’s event taking place at the Legacy for the first time. The SEC is very excited to introduce their players to the Legacy and we anticipate the continued growth of this event as the 2015 tournament will also be broadcast on the SEC network so tune in if you are not able to come out and support your favorite SEC team.
Although the cold weather limited our outdoor activities, construction of the Golf Operations Building & Plaza at Founders and Golf Performance Center at Legacy marched forward and the two projects have been completed on time and on budget. This is a real credit to our two members, Russ Hale and Frank Paduch who led these two projects. The Founders course will reopen on Monday, March 2nd followed by the Golf Operations Building & Plaza grand opening on Friday, March 6th at 6:00pm so please make plans to attend and help us celebrate. Final touches are also being made to the Golf Performance Center and the grand opening is Saturday, March 21st at 4:00pm.
As spring unfolds, I look forward to seeing everyone at the Club. Remember to bring a
friend and introduce them as a potential new member to Greystone.
Roy Sewell, 2015 President [email protected] |(205) 515-6599
Warmest Welcome to our new General Manager
DAVID PORTER, CCM
“During his career David is very proud of several accomplishments. He is blessed to have touched so many lives with creating positive memories for members, developing staff to reach new career goals, and the feeling of success shared with the team after a successful member event.
He has managed two clubs that were not platinum status clubs when he arrived and to obtain that recognition during his tenure is probably at the top of his list of professional accomplishments.
When he is not working he enjoys spending time with family, traveling, cooking, playing sports, and watching all of the Boston professional teams.”
Excerpt from MasterClubAdvisors.com
David’s bio can be found on the following page.
Greystone Golf & Country Club | March—April 2015 2
DAVID W. PORTER, CCM
David was born and raised in Andover, Massachusetts. He graduated from Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, NH, which was founded 200 years ago as the feeder school for Dartmouth. He has two wonderful children, Drake (11) and Delaney (14). Both are Duke Tip students, active in school theatre, and multi-sport athletes. Delaney is also an adult intermediate pianist.
Education Bachelors degree in Hospitality Management from Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania in 1994.
Member of Club Managers Association (CMAA) since 1991
Certified Club Manager
Attended 12 CMAA World Conferences
Completed Business Management Institute (BMI III) at Michigan State and (BMI IV) at Cornell
Attended four “Great Clubs of the Midwest Symposiums”
Attended one “Great Clubs of the South Symposiums”
Attended two “Large Clubs Symposiums”
Attended two “Gated Community Symposiums”
Advisory Board Member for Kansas State University Hospitality School
Board Member for the Philadelphia Chapter of CMAA 1999-2001
Board Member for the Chicago Chapter CMAA 2005-2007
Founder and Chairman (2 years) of the National Student Education Conference
Member of Community Association Institute Guest lecturer at: Kansas State • Widener • Texas Tech • Purdue • USC • USCB ~ CMAA World Conference in 2003 and 2008
Club Experience – Worked at the Philadelphia Cricket Club while in college and landed his first management position
prior to graduation. He was hired as the Clubhouse Manager at White Manor Country Club in Malvern, Pennsylvania. After holding that position for close to five years he was promoted to the General Manager position. He held the General Manager’s position for four years. After close to nine years at one club it was time for a new experience and David was hired as the General Manager/COO of Westmoreland Country Club in Wilmette, Illinois, where he worked for six years. His next move was to be the General Manager/COO of Belfair Plantation in Bluffton, South Carolina since 2007.
Recent Position Club Background – Belfair is a private gated golf community with 1100 acres, which includes
730 home sites. Belfair was founded in 1995 as a community, but was originally a plantation founded in 1811. All home owners are members and there are 40 memberships available to non-property owners, which brings the total membership to 770. There are 160 employees working at Belfair in 10 different departments. Gross operating dollar volume exceeds 14 million annually. The amenities include a 35,000 square foot clubhouse, 36 holes of championship golf designed by Fazio, State of the art golf learning center, state of the art fitness center with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, playground, soccer field, basketball court, and volleyball court. Belfair was home to one of the world’s top amateur events from 2000-2011, The Players Amateur, which has a history of champions that includes Ben Curtis, Bill Haas, Camilo Villegas and Rickie Fowler.
Other Basketball Coach for PALS, 2012-Present Bluffton Youth Sports Baseball Coach, 2013-Present Board of Directors for Bluffton Boys and Girls Club, 2013-Present Active Alumni, Kappa Sigma Fraternity
Greystone Golf & Country Club | March—April 2015 3
Greystone Golf & Country Club | March—April 2015 4
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
... AND THANK YOU SPONSORS
Welcome Back! Roger Bass
Former Member April 2011—July 2012
Retired President / CEO, Dunn Construction 60 Hawthorn Street, Birmingham
Sponsors: Gary Ferebee and Mike Natale
Trey Del Greco (Stefanie) Sales Representative, Stryker Corporation
Stefanie is a professional golfer and appeared along-side Trey’s dad, Al Del Greco on Big Break NFL.
1008 Snowshill Circle, Birmingham Sponsors: Al Del Greco and Allen Franklin
Brett Sutton (Pam) Vice President of Sales/Partner, ChemStation
629 Springbank Terrace, Birmingham Sponsors: Scott Ferguson and David Wynne
Trey Lavender Senior Sales Professional, Sanofi-Aventis
1064 Monaghan Drive, Birmingham Sponsors: Barry Vines and Chris Vines
Greystone Golf & Country Club | March—April 2015 5
Dear Greystone Family,
It is my honor and pleasure to serve as your new Events Director. I look forward to assisting our members, family, and friends in making all events successful through quality planning and flawless execution. My goal is to create memorable experiences through first rate service in every aspect of the event process. For several years, I served as the Director of Event Management & Space Utilization at Samford University. During my time there, I enjoyed working with all bridal events, camps, conferences, special events and more. I hold a Masters degree in Secondary Education from UAB and a Bachelor of Arts from Samford University, with more than 10 years of event management experience in Birmingham. On behalf of the Greystone Events Team, we look forward to the opportunity to host your next event soon!
Warmest regards,
rin Hunter (205) 776-3180 [email protected]
Greystone Golf & Country Club | March—April 2015 6
With two beautiful clubhouses, spectacular views and professional staff, Greystone is the perfect setting for your special event. Whether it's old friends or new, business or pleasure, small groups or large, we will cater to your needs.
Bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, business meetings, weddings, receptions, holiday celebrations, class reunions, kids’ parties, and anniversary parties are our specialty! We are confident that Greystone will exceed your expectations while providing tremendous quality and value for your next event.
*Please note all events must be member hosted or sponsored
Questions & Answers
Q: When is the events office open?
The office is available to assist you Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. In addition, the Front of House Manager and Events Manager are available to assist you when the events office is closed. Events Office:776-3180 | Food & Beverage Office: 986-5157.
Q: How small or large of an event can the Club host?
We are able to accommodate events of most all sizes, types and requirements. From intimate meetings of five to sit-down gourmet dinners of 120 or cocktail parties of 300 our professional banquet staff is ready to assist you.
Q: What type of events can be scheduled with the Events Director?
We can arrange most any type of event, from wedding receptions, charity events, business dinners, social luncheons, cocktail parties, children’s parties, afternoon teas, business meetings, breakfast buffets, pool parties, and many more.
Q: What other assistance can the Club help me with our event?
With our professional contacts we can arrange any special rentals needed, audio/visual equipment, staging, floral arrangements, entertainment, special linens, centerpieces, printed menus, place cards, etc. We have the tools and the skills to make your event a success.
015 and 2016 will be historic years for Greystone and will “set the table” for many years to come.
Along with this year’s Board of Directors; the commit-tees, subcommittees and focus groups developed for this transitional period have been positive influences in our department. And as a result, some great concepts, menus and designs for our new club are taking form.
As we look forward to all of the exciting renovations and changes, we also say good bye to some long-standing institutions. The 19th Hole falls into this category.
In remembrance of the 19th Hole, its final menu will have some of the all time club favorites. The Golfer’s Classic will don the menu as well as crab cakes and The Cubano. This new (and old) menu will roll out on Monday, March 2nd. Also, look for a “kicked up” quesadilla along with chicken & waffles to go along with old classics.
Family Nights, starting in March, will have a new appearance too. We’ll have themed dinners with consistent menus on every Thursday. They will revolve around Mexican, Italian, Southern and of course, Cajun! (Further details on the next page.)
You may have already noticed a change in our breads and desserts around the club. One of our elite cooks, Andrea Holder, has begun to use her baking background to add to our exclusiveness. Home baked dinner rolls, desserts and treats have started pouring out of the kitchen into Family Night, Sunday Brunch and Dinner at the Falls. The kitchen is definitely a lot sweeter now with Andrea exploring her passions!
With your support we will constantly push ourselves to make Greystone the best club it can be. Thank you for making Greystone special.
ANDREA HOLDER Baking, pastry &
confectionary arts
Andrea’s exceptional culinary talents have graced the Greystone kitchens since March 2013. The Culinard graduate says she learned from one of the best, Chef Susan Notter who was named one of the top 10 Pastry Chefs in the U.S. by Pastry Arts & Design Magazine. Andrea made an appearance on Food Network working along-side Susan. Andrea has shown off her culinary talent on local TV shows, Good Morning Alabama and Talk of Alabama making praline pecan pie and purple sweet potato soup.
Holder grew up living in walking distance of the Panama Canal and says that she likes to incorporate tropical fruit flavors into many of her dishes. When she is not baking at The Stone, Andrea enjoys spending quality time with her two baby boys, Lorenzo and Daniel.
OF GREYSTONE
Greystone Golf & Country Club | March—April 2015 7
Executive Chef Daniel Mitchell [email protected] (205) 776-3182
THEMED FAMILY NIGHTS STARTING IN MARCH Founders Clubhouse / Thursdays / 5-8pm Pricing: $14++ adults & $7++ kids (ages 5-12) Country Club Casual Attire / Reservations recommended by calling 986-5120
Enjoy a soup & salad bar, delicious entrées, plentiful sides, and gourmet desserts. Join us for Bingo Night on March 19th & April 16th! Dine-in or take-out. Please note that Family Night will not be held on April 16 or 30.
1st Thursday – Mexican Fiesta Beef Taco & Chicken Fajita Bar, Chicken Enchiladas and Chile Rellenos Mexican Rice and Black Beans Chips, Queso & Salsa Sopapillas & Churros 2nd Thursday – Southern Traditions Southern Fried Chicken & Catfish, BBQ Pulled Pork Macaroni & Cheese, Old South Green Beans, and Corn on the Cob Chicken Fingers Homemade Banana Pudding 3rd Thursday – Cajun Night with BINGO! Chicken & Andouille Gumbo with Steamed Rice Seasonal Seafood & Sausage Boil Bronzed Chicken Etouffee Dirty Rice and Broccoli Almondine Brabant Potatoes Cajun Fries & Creole Ranch Beignets 4th Thursday – Italian Homemade Beef Lasagna, Grilled Chicken Alfredo over Penne Pasta Fried Zucchini with Marinara Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Shells Oven Roasted Roma Tomatoes with Mozzarella Pepperoni & Cheese Pizzas Chocolate Dipped Stuffed Cannoli 5th Thursday (when applicable) – Chinese Sweet & Sour Chicken, Beef & Broccoli over Steamed Rice Tempura Fried Shrimp Fried Rice, Vegetable Lo Mein and Egg Rolls Chinese Donuts
FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE
I would like to thank everyone who has participated in the Focus Groups for the new restaurant coming spring 2016. We had a lot of great dialogue about our future direction, and we cannot wait until it opens! I did want to take this opportunity to mention to you a service that Greystone provides to our members: Discounted Wine Case orders! If you order a case of wine through us, we offer deep discounts on those cases. In some instances, multiple cases net even deeper deals! So if you are looking for a company gift or something to stock your cellar, ask me about your favorite!
It’s a great time to be a member, and an even better time to encourage your friends and neighbors to join, as our new additions will be a great place to spend your days and nights!
We cannot wait to be your destination place within the gates!
Andrew Nevins, Front of House Manager [email protected] (205) 986-5157
Greystone Golf & Country Club | March—April 2015 8
LEGACY MENU Served March 1 [Legacy closed March 2-19] / Starting March 20, served Friday through Tuesday—click here for hours
Menu consists of hot & cold sandwiches & wraps, seasonal salads, burgers, Greystone’s signature chili & breakfast items.
FOUNDERS MENU Served daily March 2-22 / Starting March 18, served Wednesday through Sunday —click here for hours
Menu consists of hot & cold sandwiches & wraps, seasonal salads, burgers, Greystone’s signature chili & breakfast items.
FALLS DINNER Legacy Clubhouse / Fridays & Saturdays with the exception of April 17 & 18 and May 1 & 2 / 5-9pm Entrée pricing $19-39 / Reservations strongly encouraged
A five-star dining experience featuring items such as Filet of Beef Tenderloin grilled to perfection, Greystone’s famous Black Grouper, Chocolate Lava Cake, and more. In addition, an Alabama Farm Fresh Prix Fixe menu is offered and features a seasonal-inspired 4-course dinner paired to perfection with a glass of wine to accompany each course.
SUNDAY BRUNCH Founders Clubhouse / 10:30am - 1:30pm / $21++ adult buffet; $10++ child’s buffet; $7++ breakfast; $7++ Soup & Salad
Extensive buffet featuring seasonal salads and soups, a variety of local vegetables and sides items, three plentiful entrées and a dessert table filled with Southern Living desserts. You’ll also find a breakfast station with waffles, country sausage, smoked bacon, Alabama grits, and buttermilk biscuits & gravy.
SUNDAY LUNCH Legacy Clubhouse / Sundays with the exception of March 8 & 15 / 11am-2pm / First come, first served seating Southern Specials pricing approximately $12
Down home favorites such as braised beef with carrots & potatoes, southern fried catfish and Greystone’s famous fried chicken are served in addition to our menu featuring salads, soups, sandwiches & burgers. Take-out available 986-5172.
GRAB & GO DINNER Legacy Clubhouse / Mondays & Tuesdays / Pick-up 4-7pm / Pricing for 2 approx. $25 & a meal for 4 approx. $45
Homemade take home meals for you and yours! Two entrée options served with fresh garden salad, your choice of dressing, and warm rolls. Dessert also available. Order online www.greystonecc.com or call 986-5120.
Greystone Golf & Country Club | March—April 2015 9
Reservations: (205) 986-5120 / Take-out available
Greystone Golf & Country Club | March—April 2015 10
FOUNDERS REOPENING WINE TASTING FEATURING TRIONE WINES
Monday, March 2nd 6:30-8:30pm | Founders Trophy Room
Light hors d’oeuvres | Drop-in event trionewinery.com
COCKTAILS IN THE PLAZA Grand Opening Celebration of the Golf Operations Building & Plaza!
Friday, March 6th 6-10pm | NEW Founders Golf Plaza
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres Live music
Ribbon cutting ceremony Bring a friend! Credit cards accepted.
STEAK NIGHT Wednesday, March 18th
Reservations from 6-9pm | Legacy Clubhouse Reservations required by calling 986-5120 Menu and additional details coming soon!
SPRING WINE FEST Friday, March 20th
6:30-8:30pm | Founders Trophy Room Heavy hors d’oeuvres | $10 per person
Numerous wine distributors with 5-8 different wines per distributor. Register online by clicking here.
AUGUSTA MASTERS FUN FRIDAY Friday, April 3rd
6-10pm | Founders Trophy Room Complimentary hors d’oeuvres
Live music Dinner selections
Menu posted online
EASTER EGG HUNT Saturday, April 4th
Greystone Park located off of Greystone Drive Arrive at 9:45am sharp with your Easter basket The Easter Bunny & Hoover Belles will be there!
Complimentary light breakfast and beverages
EASTER BRUNCH Sunday, April 5th
10:30-2:00 | Founders Clubhouse Reservations required: 986-5120 | 48-hour cancellation policy
Extensive buffet with items for adults & children. Click here for the menu & more details.
MONDAY NIGHT BREWING COMPANY BEER DINNER Friday, April 10th
Founders Clubhouse 6:30pm arrival
Reservations required | Limited to the first 40 Members Signup on the Greystone website—click here
LOBSTER NIGHT Saturday, April 11th
Reservations from 6-9pm | Founders Clubhouse Reservations required by calling 986-5120
Menu and details posted online—click here
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST
LITTLE MEMBERS
James & Ashley Gustin welcomed baby boy Whit
February 20, 2015
Jeff and Kristy Curl welcomed baby girl
Addison December 23, 2014
Josh & Sharon Priestley welcomed baby boy Pierce
February 2, 2015
Chad & Courtney Sepulvado
welcomed baby boy Eli December 31, 2014
Greystone Golf & Country Club | March—April 2015 11
BUILDING CAMPAIGN PROGRAM Now is the time to share membership with your neighbors and friends. Current initiation fees won’t be around long! With the building projects nearing completion and the Regions Tradition coming to Greystone, the initiation fees will only be going up. Don’t let your friends miss the boat waiting on the next deal. This year is the deal! As an added incentive for new Members, those families joining in March – September will have a choice upon acceptance:
1) $0 golf cart fees through December 31, 2015 or
2) $0 food minimum – through December 31, 2015.
Share the excitement about the Club’s bright future! Invite a friend or neighbor to join us for Cocktails in the Plaza on March 6th from 6:00 – 10:00 pm. Live entertain-ment, complimentary hors d’ oeuvres, cash bar. There will be a Membership booth set up so we hope to see your friends there!
BECOME A GREYSTONE AMBASSADOR The Membership Marketing Committee is putting together a group of Member Ambassadors. This group will assist with the welcome and engagement of our new members as they assimilate into the different areas of our Club: Golf, Tennis, Fitness, Swimming and Social areas. Ambassadors are also needed to play golf with prospective new members periodically as well as help host our annual prospective new member golf event, Bring Your Sticks to the Stone. As 2016 rolls around,
Greystone Ambassadors will also work on promotions surrounding the Regions Tradition and the Club’s 25th Anniversary. If you think you might like to get involved, please email Ashley Fuentes at [email protected].
JANICE FOLMAR
2014 COMMITTEE CHAIR OF THE
YEAR
Congratulations to Janice Folmar on receiving Committee Chair of the Year in 2014. Janice is also currently serving as 2015 Membership Marketing Committee Chair.
Janice is a Realtor with RE/MAX Southern Homes-280. She has been a Member of the Club for over 20 years. She says she feels Greystone Golf & Country Club is “home away from home.”
Janice feels anyone living in Greystone that has not joined the Club is truly missing out. She loved the Senior Tour being here before and is excited for the Champions Tour to return to the Founders Course in 2016, 2017, and 2018!
Janice would like to thank the members serving on the 2015 Membership Marketing Committee: Jeff Cooke Andy Lemons Phillip Lozito Christopher Schaffer Ron Ten Berge Bracton Thoma George Trible David Wilson
Greystone Golf & Country Club | March—April 2015 12
Dear Members,
I can’t help but get really excited about this time of the year! All kinds of new promises to my golf swing and the course getting more beautiful by the day, not to mention the new golf facilities that will
be opening. We have a lot to be proud of here at “the Stone.” Add to that the new fitness area, then the new restaurant and throw in a Champions Tour major and you have the workings of some MIGHTY EXCITING STUFF. A new item on our agenda this year is the start of the PGA Jr. League. A program that will help us take our beginner juniors that don’t play tournament golf and help them get to the next level. Some other new items you will see courtesy of the Greystone Men’s Golf Association are the new podium at the Founders Bag Drop and new GPS controlled solar powered clocks at both the Founders and Legacy putting greens. Kudos to Jim Clayton and the GMGA for stepping up and making a difference by bringing these great enhancements to our club.
I thought I would give you a little “by the numbers” regarding last year:
34,778—rounds of golf played at Greystone in 2013 34,593—rounds of golf played at Greystone in 2014 (Founders closed 07/07-09/30/14) 36.1—percent more rounds in January ‘15 over ‘14 1236—rounds of golf played in January 2015 754,036—merchandise sales for Founders & Legacy golf shops and TaylorMade Lab 21—golf outings hosted in 2014 23—golf outings already scheduled for 2015 1— the number you are here at “the Stone”
I could go on and on giving you info but a couple of things stand clear. Greystone is moving in the right direction. A good start with January rounds up, more golf outings already planned and our members are supporting our club to the tune of $750K+ in merchandise sales. Just a reminder that we do take trade-ins, and we will turn your old clubs into money for you as well. All we ask is that you give us a chance to earn your business. You might not know, but for every $500 you spend on golf clubs, we’ll give you a gift certificate for a free guest round. We will also match our competitors’ prices so please come support your club, save some money and feel good about it. Greystone—where it’s all about YOU!
Until next time, see you on the tee!
WELCOME JON GIBBONS, HEAD GOLF
PROFESSIONAL FOUNDERS COURSE
Jonathan Gibbons comes to us from Vestavia Country Club where he served as an Assistant Golf Professional for over three years. Previous to Vestavia, Jon was an Assistant Golf Professional at Hoover Country Club and Ballantrae Golf Club where he began his professional career in 2004.
Jonathan is a class A member of the PGA of America and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Montevallo.
Jon is married to his wife Emily and they have a two year old daughter named Addison.
Josh Whitehead, Founders Assistant Golf Professional will move to Legacy and serve as the first Assistant Professional.
Greystone Golf & Country Club | March—April 2015 13
Director of Golf (205) 986-5151 [email protected]
UPCOMING
Champions of Tomorrow Picture Wall (juniors) Sunday March 8th at 3pm
GPC Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Celebration Saturday, March 21st at 4:00pm
SPRING PROGRAMS
Men's Biggest Loser kicks off March 5th Thu. from 5:30-7:30pm Sat. from 4-6pm
Spring Ladies' Clinics begins March 13th 6 week clinic series Fri. from 10-11:30am March 13, 20, 27, April 10, 17, 24 Makeup date on April 31
Velocity ages 5-12 Sunday from 2-3:30pm
Junior Performance ages 10-14 Tue. & Thu. from 4-5:30pm and Sat. from 2-4pm
Junior Elite ages 15-18 Tue. & Thu. from 4-5:30pm and Sat. from 2-4pm
Mason Dennis
[email protected] (205) 505-9693
Brian Speakman [email protected]
(205) 383-8843
Dear Members,
March 2015 sees the completion and opening of the new Greystone Golf Performance Center (GPC) at Legacy. This is an exciting time for Greystone and the Blackburn Golf Academy. We are proud of our new facility and what we can now offer you the membership to improve your game!
The mission shared by Blackburn Golf and Greystone Leadership is to create a nationally renowned center of excellence for golf instruction at the GPC. Delivering player development, teaching and coaching solutions to both members and guests, the Blackburn Golf Academy at the GPC will be the ultimate learning environment.
Our commitment to player development begins with the Junior Velocity program, taking students from 5 years old nurturing their golf and athletic skills. They will then transition to the Junior Performance program once they have achieved the required skill proficiency. Upon mastering the game, juniors will be invited to the join the Junior Elite program with the goal of coaching players to compete in high school, regional and national amateur events. These tournaments will in turn provide the playing field to earn college scholarships with outstanding perform-ance. Through college into the professional ranks our coaching will compliment university programs giving students the tools to become champions at every level. This blueprint ensures Greystone provides the best golf instruction possible.
As home base for all Greystone’s Instruction programs, the GPC offers three studio style teaching bays to provide students with the best possible learning environment. Each bay features V1 Branded Blackburn Golf Online Academy for 24HR / 365 online access, with high speed HD live streaming video, Trackman, 3D motion capture, BodiTrak pressure mapping, Sam Putt Lab putting analysis, custom club fitting and club repair. To condition students specifically for their golf, the open concept in the second and third studio bays also allow for a world class golf gym at the GPC. In conjunction with our medical and fitness teams from The FARM (Functional Athletic Rehabilitation Movement) and Blackburn Golf/Greystone Fitness team, golfers can be treated for injury or conditioned specifically for golf with our rehab and conditioning protocols.
To create some identity for our junior golfers, we are creating a Champions of Tomorrow Picture Wall at The GPC prior to the grand opening and are inviting all juniors to bring a color 4x6 headshot of themselves Sunday March 8th at 3pm. We want to assure the photos are on the wall before the GPC Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Celebration on Saturday, March 21st at 4:00pm. The goal of this picture wall is to build a history that tracks player development and successes in the game. We will begin limited lessons and run our monthly coaching programs at The GPC as of Monday, March 9th and commence our full service Monday, March 23rd after the Grand Opening. Lessons can be booked online via www.blackburngolf.com or through Mason and Brian.
Director of Golf [email protected] 986-5151
[email protected] (256) 572-1743
Greystone Golf & Country Club | March—April 2015 14
n only its 15th year, the Greystone Invitational (GI) continues to forge golf history that includes serving as a major stop on
the road to Gunn Yang’s victory in the 2014 U.S. Amateur.
San Diego State’s Yang (photo on the following page) made a special emphasis to compete in GI 2014 in preparation for several amateur events including the U.S. Amateur held later in the summer at the Atlanta Athletic Club.
While Yang opened with an impressive 4-under par 68, he never regained his form - even after making the cut - to finish in a tie for 44th at 10-over par with rounds of 68-78-76-76. Yang’s 298 would be 23 strokes behind eventual 2014 Champion, University of Cincinnati’s & Birmingham area native, John Michael O’Toole’s 10-under par 275 (69-70-71-65).
GI 2015 promises to continue the tradition as one of the world’s premier events in amateur golf. Each year the GI field produces worthy champions who are now playing and winning on the PGA Tour. And when one considers that even those previous GI participants, who only manage to finish in the middle of the pack, go on to place their names in amateur and professional golf history, it only strengthens the growing prestige of the Greystone Invitational.
The Greystone Invitational began in 2000 with a mission to become a top-tier golf tournament with a strong mix of non-exempt and exempt players of various ages that would draw contestants from across the world and to contest the event on a well-prepared championship golf course.
The tournament field annually reads like a Who’s Who of collegiate, local, national and international amateur golfers as they make the Greystone Invitational a key event on their summer competition schedule.
Past GI Champions include present PGA TOUR members Michael Thompson (2007) and Lee Williams (2001 & 2003) and Emerald Coast tour winner Glenn Northcutt (2010).
Past Champion in 2004, Jonathan Dismuke is now golf coach at the University of Houston and the 2002 GI Champion Zane Goldthorp has numerous top ten finishes in amateur events including a 4th place finish in the 2012 Georgia Mid-Am.
The remaining GI Champions, Bobby Spiller (2005), Mark Harrell (2006), Woodie Eubanks (2008), Justin Yoder (2009), Bo Andrews (2011) and Michael Johnson (2012) are all still very competitive in numerous top-level amateur events as well as competing professionally.
2014 Greystone Invitational Winners - Left to Right Mid-Am Champion Bobby Spiller, 2014 Champion
John Michael O'Toole and Runner-up Drew Czuchry
Greystone Golf & Country Club | March-April 2015 15
Many other GI contestants have moved on to domestic and international pro tours around the globe. One recent GI participant, Will Wilcox, is now playing on the PGA TOUR and competed for the lead in the 2014 Sony Open and won on the Web.com tour in 2013 . Will has threatened several times to win his first PGA TOUR event and in 2014, he had 2 Top-10 Finishes and 5 Top-25 Finishes ending with $586,159 in official
money. So far in 2015, Will already has 2 Top-25 Finishes and has won $176,100 through Feb 24th.
Two other past contestants - James Bowen from Auburn and Carl Santos-Ocampo from Notre Dame - have multiple wins on the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tours.
Michael Thompson’s career is so far the most decorated GI champion finishing as Runner-up in the 2007 U.S. Amateur the same summer he won the Greystone Invitational on Greystone’s Legacy Course. Michael attended Tulane University for two seasons before Hurricane Katrina would force The Green Wave to disband their golf team. After transferring to the University of Alabama Thompson’s stellar play earned him the 2008 SEC Player of the Year.
As a finalist in the 2007 U.S. Amateur Thompson earned invitations to the 2008 Masters Tournament and the 2008 U.S. Open. While he missed the cut in the Masters he went on to finish as low amateur in the Open at Torrey Pines finishing in 28th place.
Thompson would once again finish as a Runner-Up in a USGA event but this time it was in the 2012 U.S. Open losing by only one shot to eventual winner Webb Simpson at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, CA.
Feeding off a successful 2012 season, Thompson had his best season on the PGA TOUR including a win at the 2013 Honda Classic. With his win, he would reach a career-high 45th in the Official World Golf Ranking and finish the season at 39th in FedEx Cup points. As of February in 2015, Thompson has already earned over $5.1 million in his pro career.
When you look at the list of past winners and participants in the young, 14-year history of the Greystone Invitational, the confidence and experience gained as a competitor or as an eventual Champion can only continue to positively shape a golfer’s career.
Make your plans now to see golf’s future stars shine during the 15th Annual Greystone Invitational held Wed. June 24 – Sat. June 27, 2015 at the Greystone Golf & Country Club Founders Course! You may also help forge golf history as a volunteer by serving as a marshal, scorer, a host family for collegiate golfers, or by providing assistance with transportation and several other wonderful opportunities during GI 2015.
It is guaranteed volunteers and spectators alike will end up with wonderful golfing stories to tell your friends and family!
For more information visit the Invitational website at www.greystoneinvitational.com.
Greystone Invitational Chairman
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R15, AeroBurner, and RSi Irons starting off HOTT!! 2015 has started off well with the introduction the R15 Metalwoods, AeroBurner Metalwoods and RSi Iron lines. We sometimes hear from players that it’s difficult to know what to try, because there are so many different products available. We hope the following will help you decide which items to try this spring if you are in the market for new equipment:
R15 Metalwoods These are available in a 460CC Driver (White or Black Color), 430CC Driver (White Only), Fairwaymetals (3,3HL,5,5HL), and Hybrids (2,3,4,5). All R15 products feature adjustability in loft & face angle, and the drivers/fairway metals also offer Adjustable Weighting. The 460cc Driver has a larger sweet spot, where as the 430cc Driver features more spin control of the golf ball for on-center hits. These products are designed for high clubhead speed players who are seeking to control shot shape and spin rates or players with extreme shot shapes with tremendous curve in the ballflight.
AeroBurner Metalwoods These are available in a 460cc Driver, a 460cc “T.P.” Driver, Fairwaymetals (3,3HL,5,5HL,7), and Hybrids (3,4,5,6), and a special “T.P.” Hybrid offering (3,4,5,6). INTERESTINGLY… Most of our PGA Tour Staff was originally fit into the R15 series of drivers, but most have already changed to the AeroBurner TP because of the insane BALLSPEED (hot face). The fair-way woods have tested almost like drivers, and most players that try these items when they are fit well for their swings, rave about the performance. These items ARE NOT adjustable. These products are designed for low to high clubhead speed players who seek maximum ball speed off the clubface and maximum forgiveness.
RSi 1, RSi 2 & RSi T.P. Irons We introduced 3 new irons at the turn of the year and all have been met with rave reviews from our Tour Staff and amateur. The RSi series features the same Speed Slot technology we introduced with the RocketBlades line. We have added two lateral pockets to the heel and toe of the iron creating the game’s largest sweet spot. The idea is that more energy is transferred to the ball on mishits towards the heel and toe, giving players more consistent yardage even on poor shots. The RSi 1 Iron is designed for players over a 10 handicap seeking maximum height, yardage, and forgiveness. The RSi 2 Iron is designed for players ranging in handcap from 3-18, and feature more traditional aesthetics and lower ballflights, while still giving some of the forgiveness of the RSi 1. The RSi TP is an ALL FORGED set which still features speed and face slots (major technological breakthrough to do that in a forged head). We promise that these are the softest feeling/ most forgiving forged set you will try this year.
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TaylorMade Performance Lab Demo Day Please join us Saturday, March 14th from 10-4 on the Founders Driving Range as we present all of the products on the previous page with every shaft option available for our 2015 Product Experience Day. We will be serving complimentary DAUGHT BEER and Hors d’oeuvres on the range during the event. WE WILL ALSO BE RAFFLING AWAY A BRAND NEW AEROBURNER DRIVER for all those in attendance. Finally, we are offering a BUY BACK PROGRAM on all old products whereby we will give you 140% of the going value for that product as defined by Golf Blue Book!! Come join us for a great day, and see what all the buzz is about with this year’s offerings!
Referral Drawing In 2015, we will be running a referral contest that awards a FREE SET OF CLUBS to one lucky person whom took the time to refer a player to make an appointment. That’s right, every referral you give us, earns you another chance at a drawing to be held in December that will award a Full Fitting and all of the clubs selected from it to the winner! The person who refers the most, has the best shot at winning, but even just one referral gets you a chance, so don’t miss out!
Master Fitter [email protected] (205 986-5129
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Dollars for scholars Annual golf tournament hosted by the Greystone Men’s Golf Association (GMGA) Saturday, April 11th, Legacy Course, 10:00am shotgun start
The purpose of this tournament is to raise funds for the Greystone Golf & Country Club Scholarship Fund. Through this tournament, the Members assist Greystone Associates to further their educational pursuits and professional association certifications. Over the last six years, our Members have raised over $26,500 to assist dedicated Greystone Associates with their continued education endeavors. If you would like to make a donation without participating in the tournament, please email Dave Kuykendall, [email protected]. Registration and more information online - click here.
Nutrition
There is no one food, drink, pill or machine that is the key to achieving optimal health. A person’s overall daily routine is what is most important. That is why, as part of National Nutrition Month® 2015, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics urges everyone to "Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle." A healthy lifestyle is based on regular physical activity and an eating pattern that is not about a specific food or time or year, but rather a life-long commitment. Making the right food and nutrition choices is a necessary part of biting into a healthy lifestyle. Visit www.eatpro.org for more information.
Here are 3 easy-to-do lifestyle changes.
1. Think 80/20 – eat healthy 80 % of the time.
2. Plan your meals and snacks – don’t wait until the last minute. Thinking ahead helps you balance your intake of fruits, vegetables, and fats.
3. Complete a minimum of 150 minutes of exercise a week (less than 3 hours) including both cardiovascular and resistance training.
Test your knowledge of basic nutrition with this Nutrition Quiz
Exercise - Key to Good Sleep The results of the National Sleep Foundation’s 2013 Sleep in America® poll show a compelling association between exercise and better sleep. Self-described exercisers report better sleep than self-described non-exercisers even though they say they sleep the same amount each night (6 hours and 51 minutes, average on weeknights). “If you are inactive, adding a
10 minute walk every day could improve your likelihood of a good night’s sleep,” says Max Hirshkowitz, PhD, poll task force chair. “Making this small change and gradually working your way up to more intense activities like running or swimming could help you sleep better.” A good sleep does not compel us to exercise. However, good sleep is fundamental for good health, productivity, and happiness.
BATTLE OF THE BULGE Weight Loss Challenge Congratulations to all who participated! Winners of Male and Female: Kevin Held and Gabby Urrutia 2nd Place: Gary Goff and Brenda Atkins Together, the 7 participants lost over 50 lbs.!
MARCH
National Nutrition Month Sleep Awareness Month National Kidney Month Brain Awareness Week
APRIL
Alcohol Awareness Month Autism Awareness Month National Donate Life Month Every Kid Healthy Week
CLASSES
The Fitness Center offers classes Monday-Thursday. All Members welcome! Click here for the Fitness Class Schedule.
CONTACT
Christy Thompson Todd Makofski
[email protected] (205) 986-5139
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UPCOMING
Ladies Match Play with Wynlakes
Friday, March 6th, 9am
St. Patrick’s Day Mixer
Sunday, March 15th, 1-3pm
Adult Social
Friday, April 10th, 6:30pm
Parent-Child Tournament
Sunday, April 12th
JUNIOR PROGRAMS
Interested in Spring Break Camp?
Let a pro know!
Beginner Orange Ball Class
8 & Under
Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday 3:30-4:30pm
Intermediate Green Dot Class
9 & Up
Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday 3:30-4:30pm
Academy
Tournament Players
Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday 4:30-6pm
After weathering winter’s grand finale, spring is finally here! We just finished our first junior USTA tournament of 2015. Great job to all of our participants for their great play and sportsmanship!
We will kick off a busy month of March on Friday, the 6th, by welcoming Wynlakes Golf and Country Club for match-play and lunch with our ladies. We will also have a St. Patrick’s Day Mixer on Sunday, March 15th. Our ladies are finishing up challenge matches and set to begin the spring softcourt season.
Our juniors are in the middle of their middle school and high school seasons. We would like to wish all of our teams and juniors a successful and healthy season! We look forward to seeing everyone on the courts this spring!
Co-Director of Tennis [email protected] 986-5144
Co-Director of Tennis [email protected] 986-5145
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I’m sure I’m not the only one counting down the days until the pools reopen after this extremely cold winter! And I’m even more excited about making this year WAY BETTER than last. We broke records left and right (attendance, health scores & income) and surprised ourselves with the swim team winning our division! I’m encouraging the members to continue their out-standing usage of the pools this year so we can continue to make improvements and reach our
goals of 11,900 visits and 100 kids on the Gators Swim Team. May 26, 2014 was the third busiest Memorial Day we’ve ever had but unfortunately we could have been busier except several members couldn’t find lounge chairs. For 2015, lounge chairs on all 3 major summer holidays will be reserved for ages 12 & older. We hope you’ll comply so that more adult members can utilize the pools on these wonderfully busy days. Also, the decks will NOT open until 10am sharp and you are more than welcome to bring your own personal lounge chair. Please do not attempt early entry to “save lounge chairs.” I’m also excited that the Second Annual Family Summer Festival is right after the kiddos get out of school on Thursday, May 21st from 2-6pm. This is a free event sponsored by the Family Swim, Tennis & Fitness Association for the members.
Looking forward to my tenth summer as your Aqua Girl,
Summer Sign-Up is Thursday, April 9th at the Founders Clubhouse from 5-7pm during Family Night. Staff
representatives from Tennis, Golf and Swim will be available for questions and for registering your child for Greystone’s summer youth programs.
Opening Day - The Pools are opening back up on Saturday, May 9th – Family Pool will be weekends only until
Thursday, May 21st. Adult Pool will be open daily for those with a signed waiver for 2015.
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Go Green, Go Gators!
Congratulations to the 2014 Greystone Gators—UNDEFEATED Division 2 Champions! Our only two requirements to be on the Gators Swim Team are: 1) be able to swim in any manner unassisted approximately 25ft. and 2) have the desire to learn how to swim better WHILE having fun. Parents, please put your child on one of the best club swim teams this summer! There are NO time commitments – just come to practice when you can. And don’t worry if you can’t
come to all or any of the swim meets – even though they’re the best part! We do NOT penalize or punish for missing practices or meets. With over 40 hours of coaching available, the registration fee equates to less than $4/practice! Not to mention the cool team shirt, awesome swim cap, Wacky Wednesday practice fun, admission to the Awards Party and discounted prices for the socials every Thursday (bowling, skating, movie and TreeTop are just a few examples). The Swim Team will start afternoon practices on Monday, May 18th and then switch to morning practices on Tuesday, May 26th, and continue until July 30th. The practice time schedule will be released by April 9th. The Swim Meet schedule will be made available to us by the Jefferson Shelby Swim Council by the end of April. *Swim Team Picture Day is Thursday, June 11th at 9am. Registration Fee (by May 4th): $155 for first child, $130 for each additional. Late Registration Fee (on or after May 5th): $165 for first, $135 for each additional. No Refund after June 5th. Partial refund available if withdrawing between May 30th & June 5th as per JSSC Rules.
Swim Lessons
Swim Lessons will start being offered on Monday, May 11th for adults, children, nieces/nephews and grandchildren and are $25 per 30-minute one-on-one lesson. Buy 5 for $110! For more in-formation and for non-member swim lessons, please contact the Aquatics Director at [email protected]. Interested in Group Lessons? If you have multiple children (even if from multiple families) and are interested in a group lesson, please let us know. We will customize a package just for you!
Dive-in Movies FREE POPCORN GUARANTEED! Come out for the first one of the season on Friday, May 22nd at 8pm with your friends and floats. Tickets are $7 for ages 6 & up or $3.50 for ages 2-5. Guest fees are WAIVED so bring your whole sports team, family or circus of friends. Each week’s movie will be announced in the weekly E-News and on Facebook and Instagram!
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POOL PARTIES
Hosting a party this sum-mer? Make it AWESOME by having it at the Greystone Family Pool. Private parties are only available during non-operational hours. If during operational hours, parties will receive a re-served section on deck. Contact our Events Director Erin Hunter [email protected] or 776-3180 to go ahead and book your party. Please note: No outside food or beverage is allowed at the pool except for cakes.
CONTACT
Corinne Sweet Aquatics Director
[email protected] [email protected]
(205) 776-3195
Click here to complete the Gators Swim Team Registration Form
John Hayden National Signing Day (UAB Golf) Holt Rast, John Hayden and Steve Muncher
Snow Day Greystone Style! Top row: George Trible, Logan Pichel, Andy Gray, Andy Annakin. Bottom row: Kristin Pichel, Mary Annakin,
Denise Shephard, Lisa Clifton, Skippy Trible and Jeff Clifton
2015 Board of Directors. Top row: Matt Scalici, Roy Sewell, Terry Smith, Al Del Greco. Bottom row: Rod Fuller, Russ Hale,
Ron Stanfa, Scott Peters, Jeff Clifton
NYE Casino & Band Party John & Katila Farley
NYE Casino & Band Party Joey & Kimberly Miller
NYE Casino & Band Party James and Denise Tassone and son
Kitchen Secrets Cooking Demo—Mardi Gras Theme Kristin Pichel, Denise Shephard, Mary Annakin,
Skippy Trible and Lisa Clifton
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Founded 1991 4100 Greystone Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35242
greystonecc.com
Telephone Directory
Main/Directory 205.980.5200
Membership 205.986.5146
Event Planning 205.776.3180
Legacy Golf 205.986.5160
Founders Golf 205.986.5126
TaylorMade Lab 205.986.5129
Course Maintenance 205.980.5215
Dining 205.986.5120
Tennis 205.986.5154
Fitness 205.986.5139
Aquatics 205.776.3195
Accounting 205.986.5133
Management Team General Manager
David W. Porter, CCM
2015 Board of Directors Roy Sewell, President
Terry Smith, President-Elect Jeff Clifton, Chairman
Membership Ashley Fuentes, CMP
Controller Chris Cochrane
ccochrane @greystonecc.com
Fitness Christy Thompson
Tennis Kristijan Mitrovski, USPTA
[email protected] Ryen Valentine, USPTA
Aquatics Corinne Sweet
Director of Golf Steve Smith, PGA
Golf Course Operations Jason Miller
Food & Beverage Andrew Nevins
Event Planning Erin Hunter
Executive Chef Daniel Mitchell
Al Del Greco
Rodney Fuller
Russ Hale
Scott Peters
Matt Scalici
Ron Stanfa
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